Kiss of the Basilisk (Split or Swallow, #1) by Lindsay Straube | Goodreads
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Kiss of the Basilisk is one of those books that doesn’t just flirt with taboo — it commits to it. This is very much a “spit or swallow” kind of novel: you either lean into the world’s rules, its rituals, its heat, and its darkness… or you tap out early. I chose to lean in, and honestly, I’m glad I did.
What really pulled me in was Tem’s journey. She starts off hesitant, unsure of her own desires, almost afraid of what she might want. But the story doesn’t let her stay small. It pushes her, challenges her, and ultimately teaches her to embrace every part of herself — her hunger, her instincts, her identity. And the fact that she’s a hybreed only makes that journey richer. She’s not just discovering desire; she’s uncovering her lineage.
I loved the reveal about her mother — how she, too, fell in love with a basilisk. That generational echo gives the whole story this deeper, almost mythic feeling. Tem isn’t just awakening for herself; she’s stepping into a legacy she never knew she carried. It makes her transformation feel bigger, heavier, and strangely beautiful.
Now… the audiobook.
I tried listening when I couldn’t sit down and read, and I’ll be honest: the narrator almost made me quit. The voice just didn’t match the tone or the intensity of the story. It pulled me out instead of pulling me in. Once I switched to reading it myself, everything finally clicked — the tension, the sensuality, the danger. On the page, the book became what it was meant to be.
As for the ritual involving Caspen’s father — I understood it was part of their culture and the world’s rules, but it wasn’t something I personally enjoyed. It felt more like a tradition the plot required than a moment that added anything meaningful for me. I accepted it, moved on, and focused on the parts of the story that actually resonated.
And there were plenty of those. The taboo elements feel intentional, not thrown in for shock value. The world is strange and dark, but it’s consistent. Tem’s growth feels earned. And the romance — twisted, dangerous, and undeniably sensual — fits the world perfectly.
In the end, Kiss of the Basilisk is a bold, boundary-pushing story that rewards you if you’re willing to go where it goes. Just… maybe skip the audiobook.
What really pulled me in was Tem’s journey. She starts off hesitant, unsure of her own desires, almost afraid of what she might want. But the story doesn’t let her stay small. It pushes her, challenges her, and ultimately teaches her to embrace every part of herself — her hunger, her instincts, her identity. And the fact that she’s a hybreed only makes that journey richer. She’s not just discovering desire; she’s uncovering her lineage.
I loved the reveal about her mother — how she, too, fell in love with a basilisk. That generational echo gives the whole story this deeper, almost mythic feeling. Tem isn’t just awakening for herself; she’s stepping into a legacy she never knew she carried. It makes her transformation feel bigger, heavier, and strangely beautiful.
Now… the audiobook.
I tried listening when I couldn’t sit down and read, and I’ll be honest: the narrator almost made me quit. The voice just didn’t match the tone or the intensity of the story. It pulled me out instead of pulling me in. Once I switched to reading it myself, everything finally clicked — the tension, the sensuality, the danger. On the page, the book became what it was meant to be.
As for the ritual involving Caspen’s father — I understood it was part of their culture and the world’s rules, but it wasn’t something I personally enjoyed. It felt more like a tradition the plot required than a moment that added anything meaningful for me. I accepted it, moved on, and focused on the parts of the story that actually resonated.
And there were plenty of those. The taboo elements feel intentional, not thrown in for shock value. The world is strange and dark, but it’s consistent. Tem’s growth feels earned. And the romance — twisted, dangerous, and undeniably sensual — fits the world perfectly.
In the end, Kiss of the Basilisk is a bold, boundary-pushing story that rewards you if you’re willing to go where it goes. Just… maybe skip the audiobook.
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